From elementary classrooms to high schools, getting students back to learning after the winter break requires additional attention, intention, and skill.   In this discussion, I asked educators to share the most effective strategies they've found to reenergize their classrooms and get students back on task after the holidays.

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Jennifer Yoo-Brannon is a teacher and instructional coach in El Monte, California, with over 16 years of experience teaching high school students, mentoring teachers, and designing and facilitating professional learning. Jennifer’s passions include: building collective teacher efficacy, designing meaningful professional learning, and fostering emotional resilience among all educators. She is an Edsurge Voices of Change Writing Fellow and has written for Edsurge and The California Educator.

Sara Silber is an award-winning elementary school teacher and a lead mentor with 30 years of classroom experience. Sara has written two blogposts, for BehaviorFlip’s Blog-“Social Emotional Growth Maps” and “A Teacher’s Journey Through Hacking School Discipline.” More recently, she authored a chapter in the inspiring book Thank You, Teacher. Sara enjoys working with her students and helping them grow and become independent learners. When she is not teaching or planning she is finding ways to support her colleagues. She loves to share her expertise, funny stories and other things that happen in the life of a teacher.

Dan Tricarico has been a high school English teacher for over twenty years. He is author of The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom (DBC, Inc. 2015) and You’re a Teacher...So Act Like One! Improving Your Stage Presence in the Classroom. In his spare time, he enjoys writing fiction, listening to classic rock, reading mystery novels, staring out of windows, and watching movies.

Breanna Taylor is licensed to teach K-12 Special Education. She graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a Bachelor of Arts P-4 Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Education Degree.

Matt Wachel is an ASCD emerging leader and an elementary principal in the Gardner Edgerton School District in Gardner, KS. He is the co-author of the book, Having an impact on learning, the public relations professional and the principal.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

4 Strategies for Building Momentum in the Spring